kelton



.(No Model.) 'J. C. KELTON.

SIGHT PROTECTOR FOR FIRE ARMS. No. 313,212. Patented Mar. 3; 1885.

MMJWXQ m UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN G. KELTON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SIGHT-PROTECTOR FOR FIRE-ARMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 313,212, dated March 3, 1885.

(No model.)

To all wh0m, it may concern.-

Be it known that I. JOHN C. KELTON, of the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Rifle Front-Sight Covers; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to a cover for the front sights of rifles and carbines, which serves to protect the sight from injury when the arm'is not in use, and to shade the sight and assist in properly leveling the arm when aiming.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a more complete explanation of my invention, Figure 1 is an end view of the sight-cover. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the front end. Fig. 4 is a perspective View showing the rear end and the transverse bar.

A is the upper partof my sight-cover,which forms an arch above the barrel, and broad enough to extend entirely over the sight, and of suiiicient strength to protect it from ordinary blows, abrasion, or wear, and to form a sufticientshade to preventthe light from striking too full upon the sight. For military rifles or carbines this arched portion should be about five-eighths of an inch in Width, and is placed over the front sight of the gun. The arched portion A extends over and downward, forming the sides B B, and has longitudinal cheek-plates 0 between them. These pieces are so constructed as not to interfere with the' bayonet-stud, and the lower sides are curved, as shown at D, to fit upon the top of the barrel. A screw or pin, E, passes through the cheeks and the sight-stud, and thus holds the cover in place; or it can be fastened in any other suitable manner, either permanently or so that it can be easily detached. The upper parts of the cheek-pieces 0 form a level or bar above the upper part of the bayonet-stud, as

shown by the straight bar F in Figs. 2 and 4. This bar is a straight-edge upon the top, and is horizontal when the gun is in proper position for firing, and is of such a height as to expose only the necessary upper part of the front sight. This bar is of great use when aiming, to assist in keeping the gun level transversely. The cover shades the front sight, so that it is not necessary to blacken it. to secure a good definition while aiming, and is of value in protecting the sight from injury or abrasion, especially in the case of carbines, which are slung or carried in the boot, where the sight would soon become worn bright.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v 1. The sight protector or cover consisting of an arched upper port-ion and sides of sufficient width, length, and height to protect the sight from abrasion and wear, and slotted, so as not to interfere with the bayonet-stud, and having cheek-pieces, the lower sides of which are curved to fit the top of the barrel, and a transverse bar upon the cheek-pieces in the rear end of the arched portion, substantially as herein described.

2. The arched sight cover and protector fitted to the barrel of the gun over the front sight, as shown, and slotted, so as not to interfere with the bayonetstud, and having cheelcpieces with curved lower sides to fit the barrel, a transverse bar with straight upper edge located in the rear of the cover, and a screw or pin passing through the cheek-pieces to hold the cover in place, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand.

JOHN C. KELTQN.

\Vitnesses:

ALFRED PANsHo, CLEMENT WINsTANLEY. 

